NBS Stable's Ground Support earned her second career graded score with a dominant victory in the first division of the Oct. 25 $200,000 Glen Cove (G3T), a 7-furlong Widener turf sprint for sophomore fillies, at Belmont Park.
Ground Support exited post 3 sharply and tracked the pacesetting Paris Carver from third position to the inside of Spirit Doll through the opening quarter-mile in :22.01 over the firm turf.
"I thought there would be a lot more speed. I found myself a little close," rider Adam Beschizza said. "Even though she got a little worked up in the gate, she's got the ability to overcome being highly strung."
Paris Carver led by one length into the turn, followed by Spirit Doll, the pair of Ground Support and New Rose, with Brandy and Me, and Snappy Comeback in behind through the half-mile in 44.41.
Beschizza tipped Ground Support out when straightening for home and quickly stormed past Paris Carver before angling back down to the rail. As three-quarters went in 1:08.10, Ground Support held a 3 1/2-length advantage and was never threatened as she crossed the wire 3 3/4 lengths clear in a final time of 1:20.22.
"She definitely had the class above these today. The 7 furlongs hit her on the head. She does stay a mile well, but she also has speed," Beschizza said. "She's a big-striding filly; once she gets into her rhythm, she's hard to stop."
TrainerKelsey Danner said Ground Support will likely target the 1-mile, $200,000 Pebbles Stakes (G3T) Nov. 21.
The Samuel Marin-piloted Snappy Comeback emerged as best of the rest, edging New Rose by three-quarter lengths for second. New Rose kept her head in front of Emblaze for show honors with Peppermint Twist, Brandy and Me, Paris Carver, and Spirit Doll rounding out the order of finish. Light Won Up and Beach Heist were scratched.
Video: Glen Cove S. (G3T)
Lion Lake Takes Second Division
Emcee Stable's Lion Lake ran down the previously unbeaten Life's Dynamic to capture the second division of the $200,000 Glen Cove (G3T), a 7-furlong Widener turf sprint for sophomore fillies, at Belmont Park.
Trained by Brendan Walsh, Lion Lake went off as the even-money favorite after a half-length second to Somerset West in the 6 1/2-furlong Music City Sept. 5 at Kentucky Downs. There, the Dark Angel gray was cutting back from five graded tries at 1 mile or beyond.
"I'm delighted with the filly," Walsh said. "She ran super. She's had some year. To win that and cap off the year is fantastic."
Shortly after Lion Lake won by a neck at Belmont, the Walsh-trained juvenile colt Staunch was second by the same margin to Jas in the Grade 3 Street Sense at Churchill Downs.
"That's racing—you're up one minute, you're down the next," said Walsh, with a laugh.
Piloted by Manny Franco, Lion Lake exited post 5 and settled in last-of-10, well off the pacesetting Life's Dynamic through the opening quarter-mile in :22.24 over the firm turf.
The Mychel Sanchez-piloted Life's Dynamic was pressed by Catalonia and Amicable Farce into the turn through the half-mile in :45 flat. Lion Lake picked off rivals from her off-the-pace position as she rounded the bend, traveling wide for the stretch run.
"She was a little further back than ideal when they turned for home, but she handled it well and got up when it mattered," Walsh said.
Lion Lake ranged into contention down the center of the course as Life's Dynamic responded on the front end after three-quarters in 1:08.41. Lion Lake dueled with Life's Dynamic into the final sixteenth, putting her neck in front in the shadow of the wire to stop the clock in 1:20.58.
"Going from the half-mile to the quarter-pole, I felt like a winner," Franco said. "I just stayed out of trouble and let my filly do the rest. A lot of credit to the one (Life's Dynamic), she was tough to go by and made it very difficult."
It was 1 1/4 lengths back from Life's Dynamic to Hark Theangelssing in third. A trainer's objection from Charlie Clover of fourth-place finisher Flowerhead was lodged against Hark Theangelssing, resulting in no change. Carolyncaroline, Pillar of Beauty, Green Sense, Catalonia, Epic Lady Luck, and Amicable Farce completed the order of finish.
